Loose leaf binder



Aug. 4, 1936. G. H. DAWSON LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed Aug. 15, 1934 INVENTOR. GEO/96E H. 0/) WSO/V ATTORNEY.

Patented Aug. 4, 1936 STATES PATENT OFFICE LoosE LEAF BINDER Application August 15, 1934, Serial No. 739,865

11 Claims. (Cl. 129-41) This invention relates to a loose leaf binder of the chain post type and particularly to means for locking the contents of the binder independently of the top cover.

It is an object of this invention to provide simple and eflicient means for positively locking the contents of the binder upon applying tension to the binding members. It is a further object of this invention to provide means'for retaining a clamping bar in position on the binding members so that the clamping bar cannot be removed While the binding means is under tension. It is a further object of this invention to provide a chain post binder in which the contents can be locked by 'a single key operated lock independently of the top cover. Other objects of this invention will become apparent upon reading the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which Figure l is a perspective view of a loose leaf binder embodying the invention, with part broken away to facilitate illustration of the structure;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view of the binder structure, partly in section and partly in elevation;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective of the top binder mechanism on an enlarged scale;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the clamping bar;

Figure .5 is a perspective view of a modified form of clamping bar; and

Figure 6 is a fragmentary detail plan view'of the top binder mechanism.

In the drawing of the reference numerals 2 and 3 indicate a pair of cover members. The bottom cover member includes the tubular member 4 which contains a pair of flexible binding members 5, a screw rod 6, a plug look i, and other conventional chain binder mechanism not shown in the drawing. After the plug look i has been removed from the end of the tubular member 4, the square end 8 of the screw rod 6 may be engaged by a suitable key, and rotation of the screw rod will project or retract the flexible binding members 5.

The flexible binding members are adapted to i have a plurality of sheets 9 impaled thereon. The sheets may be punched either with circular or slotted apertures. A clamping bar It is also impaled on the binding members on top of the sheets 9. In the preferred form the clamping member It] consists of two strips ll, l2 of any suitable material permanently secured together. The strip II is provided with a pair of circular apertures l3 to register with the binding members 5, and the strip I2 is provided with larger, non-circular apertures I 4 superimposed over the apertures I3 for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

Each binding member 5 is provided with a head l5 adapted to be screwed on to the binding member. The heads iii are provided with non-circular flanges I6 adapted to fit snugly within the apertures l4 and adapted to be held against rota- 10 tion by the edges of the strip l2 defining the apertures.

The heads l5 are each provided with a peripheral groove ll spaceda small distance above the upper surface of the flange Hi. The top cover member 3 includes a tubular member I8 which contains. a longitudinally slidable inner tubular member l9 and a screw rod adapted to slide the member l9 within the outer tubular member I8. The outer member I8 is provided with circu 20 lar apertures 2| adapted to receive the heads l5. The inner member I9 is provided with a keyhole shaped aperture 22 adapted to engage the peripheral groove l l to secure the top cover member to the heads of the binding members. 25

The operation of the device is as follows: The binding members 5 are projected out of the bottom member far enough to receive the sheets which are then impaled thereon. The clamping bar I!) is placed over the sheets and is also im- 39 paled on the binding members. The heads l5 are then screwed on the ends of the binding members and the binding members are tightened until the flanges lfi fit into the apertures M. In this position the binding members exert a clamping action against the strip ll of the clamping bar. This clamping action is distributed by the clamping bar along the entire binding edge of the binder. The cover is then positioned over the binder heads and is secured thereto by sliding the inner tubular member l9 until the narrow portions of the key-hole shaped apertures 22 en-' gage the peripheral grooves I! in the heads I5.

From the above it will be seen that the securement of the top cover is entirely independent of the tightening of the binding members 5. I-Iow ever, even though the top cover may be removed at any time, the apertures I prevent the unscrewing of the heads I5 when the binding members 5 are held tightly against the clamping bar so that it is impossible to remove any sheets from the binder until the binding members 5 are loosened. Since access to the end 8 of the screw rod 6 is prevented by the plug lock 1, the single lock 1 is suflicient to protect the contents of the binder against surreptitious removal or insertion of sheets.

The clamping bar 23, illustrated in Figure 5, differs from that of Figure 4 only in that three strips 24, 25, and 26 of suitable material are permanently secured to a strip 21 in spaced relationship. The strip 21 is provided with apertures 28 similar to the apertures I3. The spaces between the ends of the strips 24, 25, and 26 function in the same manner as the apertures Hi. The ends of the strips 24, 25, and 26 and the apertures [4 might be shaped in any suitable form to cooperate with any non-circular shaped flanges it instead of using the particular shape illustrated.

Although I have described a preferred embodiment of my invention in detail, it will be understood that the description thereof is illustrative,

rather than restrictive, as many details of struc- I ture may be modified or changed without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Accordingly, I do not desire to be restricted to the exact construction'described, except as limited by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a loose leaf binder, a pair of cover members, a pair of binding members secured to one of said cover members, a locking bar, and key-operated means mounted in said one cover member cooperating with said locking bar to positively lock the contents of the binder independently of said second cover member.

2. In a loose leaf binder, a pair of cover members, a locking bar, and key-operated means applied to one of said cover members and cooperating with said locking bar to positively lock the contents of the binder without aifecting the removability of said other cover member.

3. In a loose leaf binder, a pair of cover members, a binding member secured to one of said cover members, said other cover member being secured to said binding member, a locking bar, and key-operated means applied to said one cover member and cooperating with said locking bar to positively lock the contents of the binder, said other cover member being releasable at all times.

4. In aloose leaf binder, a pair of cover members, a plurality of binding members secured to one of said cover members, a bar impaled on said binding members between said cover members, releasable means to secure said second cover member to said binding members, means to tighten said binding members against said bar, and means to prevent removal of said bar from said binding members when said binding members are held tightly against said bar.

5. In a loose leaf binder, a. pair of cover members, a pair of binding members secured to one of said cover members, a bar impaled on said binding members, a normally releasable head on each of said binding members, means to tighten said heads against said bar, and means to prevent releasing movement of said heads when said heads are held tightly against said bar.

6. In a loose leaf binder, a pair of cover members, a pair of binding members secured to one of pair of binding members secured to said cover 10 member, a normally releasable head on each of said binding members, each of said heads being provided with a non-circular flange, and a clamping bar impaled on said binding members and provided with recesses extending only partially 15 through the thickness of the clamping bar, said recesses being adapted to receive said flanges and to prevent removal of said heads while said flanges remain in said recesses.

8. In a loose leaf binder, a cover member, a 0

binding member secured to said cover member, a clamping bar impaled on said binding member, ahead screwed on said binding member, said head being provided with a non-circular flange, and

means to tighten said flange against said clamp- 25 ing bar, said clamping bar having a recess extending only partially therethrough adapted to receive said flange and to prevent rotation of said flange while said flange is held tightly against said clamping bar.

9. In a loose leaf binder, a pair of cover members, apair of binding members secured to one of said cover members, a clamping bar impaled on said binding members between said cover members, heads screwed on said binding members,

means to tighten said heads against said clamping bar, and means to prevent rotation of said heads while said heads are tightened against said clamping bar, and independent means to secure said second cover to said heads. 0

10. In a loose leaf binder, a cover member, a binding member secured to said cover member, a head secured to said binding member, said head having a non-circular flange, and a clamping bar impaled on said binding member under said head, 5

said clamping bar being formed of two strips of material secured together, one of said strips having an aperture of a size sufficient to receive said binding member, and the other strip having an opening large enough to receive said flange and 50 small enough to prevent said flange from rotating.

11. In a loose leaf binder, a pair of cover members, a binding member secured to one of said cover members, said other cover member being 55 releasably secured to said binding member, a clamping bar impaled on said binding member above the contents and below said second cover, means to tighten said binding member against said clamping bar, and means to positively lock 0 said clamping bar against removal while said binding member is held tightly thereagainst, said last mentioned means being independent of said second mentioned cover member.

GEORGE H. DAWSON. 65 

